The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-05-04
Than thus to link our memories
With his immortal name.
While History weaves for him her crown
The fairest ever seen,
Cardinals daughters long will strive
10 keep the garland green.


The fairest ever seen,
Carolina's daughters long will strive
10 keep the garland green.
SECRETARY LAMAR'S GRAFTON.
immediately following the readino O
this ode, Mayor Courtenay introduced
Secretary Lamar, who delivered a mos
able and eloquent address upon the if,
and character of John G. Calhoun.
Mr.. Lamar spoke with like earnestuCss
and cuso, his voice being moduleted d
with the skill of a trained orator, While
his manner impressed every hearcr with
his own deep interest in the subject oi
his address. 1t is needless to add that
his audience showed that interest to tho
end, as was manifested by the attention
with which his words were followed
throughout, and the hearty and sincere
congratulations Of these immediately
around him wncn he gracefully retired
from the front Of the stand and resumed
| his seat
The Rev. w. f. Junkin then read the
following
ODE, By MRS MARGARET j. PRESTON.
Written by request, for the unveiIine
of the Statue of John G.. Calhoun. al
Charleston, South Carolina, April 2Gth,
1887
Stand forth, stern patriot! calm, severe,
AS III thine hours supreme elation,
When eager Senates thronged to hear
The voice that thrilled listening ma
tion.
Step from thy civic chair; receive
The homage which thy people render:
The best that grateful hearts can give
10 keep thy memory fresh and tender.
Our City 10y the Sea, while yet
Disaster lays its grasp upon her,
Remembers her inviOlute debt
Ctprlde and reverence, love and honor
Her spires may rock, her towers may
fall, ;
Her centuried grandeur sink and
perish;
Her homes be ravagcd, roof and wall,
And ruin blast what most she cher
ished;-
Yet while ono spot stands firm and fair,
Safe from the elemental not,
Wen place our patriot warder there,
Sublime in his majestic quiet
Through life his watch knew no s,uceasc;
What then, il in the far Elysian,
through the clear atmosphere of peace,
lie holds us still i'll vatic vision
The eye SO keen to note the wrong
The voice SO firm for law and order
Shall we not own their guidance strong
From mountain crest to ocean border?
VIII.
With reverence for the power that led
His mind to each profound conviction,
We bow beneath his hand outsprGnd,
And here receive his benediction,
TRCTH, with her mirror at his feet,
Gives back, without Il wano OF glory,
His whole consistent life, complete
AS some clear page of classic story.
Stern JUSTICE VOWS, by sword and shield
Her robes of regal state upon her..
That she, as soon her scales could yield,
AS he-his Cardinals honor!
And in her sovereign majesty,
The CONSTITUTIONS, with her token
Spread open on her bonded knee,
Not one of all her fasces broken
Looks up to him, whose giant thrust
Still kept at bay each pressing focman
Ready to die,-if die he must
"Pro ria!'-grand as any Roman
Seel History takes her diamond pen,
To trace with calmncss unimpassioncd,
From first to last, his life, for when
Was statesman's life so purely fash
ioned?--
XIV.
SO tireless in its aim to wage
The war Of splendid word and action; =
So staunch amid the rant and rage
OF envious and ignoble faction;-
XIV.
So like lighthouse on rock,
When fast the surges swirl, and faster
Still warning those who did but mock,
OF tempest, shipwreck, wrench, disas,
ter!
XVI.
Yet, ere the onset, doomed to die!
Disdaining place, and fame and favor
-"My country ry!"-still his latest sigh
"I would have staked my life to say,
herw